Jonathan Allard wins at Silver Dollar Speedway Friday night and runs 4th at Dave Bradway Jr. Memorial on Saturday
By Gary Thomas
Chico, CA – May 11, 2010…Giving it a hard run toward a fifth career win at the Dave Bradway Jr. Memorial Chico, California's Jonathan Allard was part of an entertaining three-way fight for the lead in Saturday night's main event, until getting over the edge of the track and dropping back a couple of spots to finish in fourth at the conclusion of the 40-lapper on Saturday night.
This past weekend's double-header program at the Silver Dollar Speedway was Allard's first outing of the season at his home track and it started out with an eventful opener on Friday, where he began the night by setting fast-time, but then was a victim of a chain reaction crash in his heat race that ended with him upside down.
With help from the Williams Motorsports crew and various other people the Platinum Powder Coating, K&N Filters, JP's Paint & Body No. 0 sprinter was pieced back together in time for the b-main, which he went on to win and transfer into the feature. Lining-up fifth in the 25-lap main event Allard quickly moved up to third and showed his strength by making his way by Kevin Sharrah for the lead around lap 10.
After taking the lead Allard held a steady advantage until defending Lucas Oil ASCS National Series champ Shane Stewart closed in with just a handful of laps remaining. The two drivers put on a show over the closing laps, but "JA" was able to do his job out front and cross under the checkered for his 39th career victory at Silver Dollar Speedway. "It's always fun to come back to Silver Dollar and race in my hometown," said Allard. "To come back and win after flipping in the heat is pretty cool and I have to thank everyone who helped us get the car back together."
Coming back on Saturday Allard hoped to make it two in a row and began the night in strong fashion by blasting around the quarter-mile bullring in 11.487 seconds to record his third straight fast-time award at the Dave Bradway Jr. Memorial. For his efforts this year he earned $500 courtesy Dan Simpson of DES Inc. The two-time King of California then ran third in the opening heat race, before winning the six-lap dash from the pole in the Red Line Oil, Sharp Insurance, Butler Built Performance No. 0 mount.
A well prepared track surface allowed for a very exciting 40-lap Dave Bradway Jr. Memorial feature and when the green lights flashed on Allard would jump into the lead. Over the early laps he had to deal with Shane Stewart for the second night in a row as well as young Kyle Larson, with the trio running tightly bunched on the Silver Dollar Speedway clay. Allard would lose the top-spot to Stewart just after lap 10 and while trying desperately to get it back also had to fend off Larson, who looked to his inside on multiple occasions.
A long green flag run was seen and it made for some very hectic action, as drivers ran all over the speedway dicing it up amongst lapped traffic and with Stewart boxed in behind slower cars, Allard would make an impressive charge after the current ASCS National Series point leader with less than 10-laps remaining. The Chico driver gave it everything he had and was able to charge around Stewart to take the lead as they completed lap 32, but the Oklahoma driver was able to reclaim the position off turn two. Allard continued to drive as hard as he could around the quarter-mile, however, got into turns one and two a bit hot and fell over the edge of the track with 34-laps completed.
Luckily for the 33-year-old driver he was able to keep the motor lit and get back onto the track to finish the final six-laps in the fourth position. With lap money also being collected by the Durica family and up for grabs in the feature Allard earned an extra $1240 for his efforts. "It wasn't the kind of result we wanted after battling for the lead, but hopefully the fans enjoyed the show," said Allard. "I want to thank everyone that donated stuff and helps out with the Bradway, because it's such a fun race and one that everyone out here wants to win."
Allard is expected to be back in action at the Silver Dollar Speedway in Chico this Friday evening for Moore Insurance Services Night at the races. Following that he will make the tow down to the Groppetti Automotive Raceway in Tulare for the annual Pombo/Sargent Classic. Going into the night Allard sits three-points behind Brent Kaeding for the top-spot in the Golden State Challenge Series standings and is also just three-digits ahead of third place Kyle Larson.
For more news on former two-time King of California Jonathan Allard log onto http://www.allardmotorsports.com
After winning Friday night's event at the Silver Dollar Speedway Chico's Jonathan Allard came back on Saturday and brought home a fourth place finish during the 20th annual Dave Bradway Jr. Memorial, following an exciting duel with Shane Stewart and Kyle Larson in traffic at the front of the field. Photo's by Steve Cox of http://www.graphxdesigns.com
- Gary Thomas on May 11, 2010
- Article Date: 5/11/2010